College of Arts & Sciences
Hazards & Vulnerability Research Institute

Research 

My research interests are broadly in geographical information science with particular interest in the use of remote sensing approaches (e.g. LiDAR) for environmental problems. My funded research has focused on the development of innovative approaches and techniques for rapidly or more accurately extracting information from imagery and geospatial data. Recent research has utilized survey methods, cognitive studies, and GIS-based modeling for probing theoretical questions and pragmatic solutions to geographic problems. For instance, how do the state and counties emergency operations centers utilize geospatial approaches in disaster response and recovery (survey methods)? How does a trained image interpretation expert recognize objects and patterns on aerial imagery (cognitive studies)? And how can we model this cognitive image interpretation process and implement in an automated solution? What is the appropriate design and implementation for a 4-dimensional (space and time) satellite-sensor image collection model (GISci-modeling)? How can we reliably and rapidly, with estimates of confidence and uncertainty, map information from airborne LiDAR data sources? My current funded research supported by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for emergency response/recovery efforts is focused on the development of mobile-GISci applications incorporating geospatial data/imagery and the development of an online and collaborative satellite/aircraft image collection modeling solution.